Category Archives: History

Isn’t It Romantic

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

England’s famed Lake District has recently been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage region, but it has long attracted literary tourists and nature lovers. The Craig Manor Hotel on beautiful Lake Windermere has produced the charming infographic below … Continue reading →

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Our Own Champs Elysees

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

This month, Philadelphia is launching a year-long+ celebration of the creation of our own version of the Champs Elysees—the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. While it may never be as grand as Paris’ great boulevard, it is a mile-long artery lined with … Continue reading →

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How Meta

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I ran across the gif above on a book blog and was skeptical when it was described as a clip of Humphrey Bogart on the set of Howard Hawks’ 1946 film noir classic The Big Sleep. With just a little sleuthing, I … Continue reading →

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Another Roadside Attraction

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Historian and self-taught photographer John Margolies spent the last three decades of the 20th century wandering the back roads, small towns, and old highways of the U.S. capturing images of a disappearing culture. His saturated Kodachrome images of kitsch signage, … Continue reading →

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Manhattan Cowcatcher

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I recently read Kim Stanley Robinson’s outstanding—but way too long—climate change, post-apocalyptic, science fiction novel “New York 2140.” Although much of the plot takes place in Manhattan’s Met Life Building, the characters frequently comment on the neighboring Flatiron Building. It … Continue reading →

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Look to the Skies

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

With the solar eclipse less than a week away, much of North America is looking to the skies.

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Miracle of Dunkirk

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I had the opportunity to see Christopher Nolan’s exceptional film Dunkirk this past weekend and have been ruminating on the experience since. I won’t spoil the film by commenting much on the content, however I strongly urge you to view it on … Continue reading →

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Total Eclipse of the Sun

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Here in North America, we are getting almost giddy about the upcoming solar eclipse which will occur on Monday, August 21, 2017. Unfortunately for me, my region of the U.S. will only be in a partial eclipse zone. Way back … Continue reading →

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Scandal at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

As I have probably mentioned a few times, one of my favorite places in Philly is the amazing Philadelphia Museum of Art. In fact, I usually drag every out of town visitor there whether they express any interest in going … Continue reading →

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Detour for Free This Summer

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The very popular location-aware travel guide app Detour usually cost $5, but for the rest of this summer it’s absolutely free. With 16 U.S. and international cities currently covered, including NYC, Boston, San Francisco, Rome, Berlin, Barcelona, and Paris, the audio walking … Continue reading →

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